Which New Buckeyes Surprised Us Most This Spring?

In this episode of The Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdelman and Tom discuss the most surprising new additions to the Ohio State football roster following spring practice. They highlight several true freshmen and transfers who exceeded expectations, with Brock Boyd and Earl Little standing out as standout true freshmen who quickly earned trust by losing their black stripes early—Boyd for his dynamic playmaking and Little for his immediate impact despite limited visibility at the end of spring due to a knee procedure. Mason Wilhelm, a low-ranked true freshman center, also surprised with his composure and performance, defying typical expectations for first-year offensive linemen. On the transfer front, Dominic Kelly and the Alabama defensive line duo of James Smith and Quay Rousseau were praised for their advanced readiness and immediate contributions. The hosts reflect on how these players' performances have reshaped expectations for the upcoming season, emphasizing that some, like Favre Aki and Sam Greer, showed promise despite not being top-tier recruits. Overall, the episode underscores the depth and potential of Ohio State’s 2026 class, with several under-the-radar players emerging as key contributors. Key takeaways include: 1) Early production and coach/player recognition are strong indicators of a true freshman’s potential, even if they’re not highly ranked; 2) Transfers with proven track records in high-level competition (like Earl Little and Quay Rousseau) can make immediate impacts; 3) Offensive linemen, especially centers, are rarely discussed positively in spring, making Mason Wilhelm’s performance particularly notable; 4) Depth and competition in the backfield mean true freshmen like Favre Aki can still earn playing time; 5) Player development and adaptability matter more than recruiting rankings; 6) Coaches’ evaluations and peer reactions (e.g., Jeremiah Smith’s praise for Earl Little) are critical signals; 7) Injuries and limited spring visibility don’t always reflect long-term potential; 8) The 2026 class is shaping up to be one of Ohio State’s most impactful in recent years.